Episode 15 - "The Big Bang"

Becky woke from an unsettled sleep to the sound of her cell phone receiving a message.

As she felt around on her bedside table she let her eyes remain shut, a solitary attempt at keeping the daylight at bay for a short while longer. As her hand connected with the phone she finally sat up and clicked on the button to view what had been sent.

Hope you are okay. I have finally arrived in Philadelphia. Julia sends her love. Please come up to us asap. Love Mom.xx

Becky digested what she had read for a moment and then fought the urge to throw the cell phone across the room. She couldn't believe that Afton had taken off to stay with Julia Cunningham. Becky understood how much her Dad had hurt her and could almost appreciate why Afton didn't want to see Cliff, but to leave town and consequently abandon any responsibility, leaving everything for him to deal with was just too much. Becky stayed focussed on remaining calm, she had the baby to think about now and she was determined not to put it under any more stress than need be. Getting out of bed and throwing on her night coat Becky walked across the room and looked into the mirror.

She supposed she shouldn't have expected any more from her mum, I mean how many years had she been dumped with Julia while Afton was on the road trying to forge out a 'career.' It was just another disappointment that she had to shoulder, another person to join the line of people who had let her down, John Ross, Christopher, her Mum and Dad. Well at least this crisis had brought along an unexpected silver lining. She had been staying at her Aunt Pam's house now for well over a week and between them they had taking it in turns to sit with Cliff and monitor his progress. The two women had become close and Becky had agreed to stay with Pam rather than go home to her parent's empty house. Over the long hours around Cliff's bed and the consequent nights Becky felt for the first time she was really getting to know her Father's sister and she liked what she saw. Pam was strong, independent and was determined not to take what had happened lying down. Between them they were going to make a stand. For the first time in a while Becky felt connected to someone else and no longer alone.

Opening Credits